# Part IV: The Maharajah of Bwodpur explained — Dark Princess > Chapter companion for Dark Princess by W. E. B. Du Bois. ## What happens Matthew and Kautilya share an intimate night where she recounts her journey of sacrifice, including working as a servant and a violent encounter with her employer. They discuss their ideals and the mission of darker peoples. Despite a week of idyllic domesticity, hostility from the community and financial strain force them to part. Kautilya decides to return to India to answer the call of her heritage. Matthew is left in despair, doubting himself and their love. Meanwhile, Sara Andrews returns to Chicago, and Sammy Scott reveals his manipulation of Matthew's situation, hoping to secure Sara's cooperation in his political machine. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Transcendence The love between Matthew and Kautilya is portrayed as transcendent, but ultimately unable to overcome societal pressures and their separate callings. Their parting is a sacrifice for greater causes. ### Class and Labor Exploitation Kautilya's experience as a servant and Matthew's work as a laborer highlight the harsh realities of class and labor exploitation. The chapter critiques the economic system that forces them into menial roles. ### Racial Oppression and Exile The hostility Matthew and Kautilya face from the community, including stoning by children, underscores the racial oppression of the era. Kautilya's decision to leave is partly driven by the impossibility of their life together in a racist society. ## Character check-ins ### Matthew Towns Matthew is deeply in love with Kautilya, but struggles with the impossibility of their idyllic life and the pain of their parting. He is left in despair, questioning his worth and their relationship. ### Kautilya Kautilya recounts her journey of sacrifice, including working as a servant and a violent incident with her employer. She decides to leave Matthew to answer the call of India and the black world, despite her love for him. ### Sara Andrews Sara returns to Chicago after five months away. She is calm and sedate, but re-engages with Sammy Scott, who reveals his manipulation of Matthew's situation. ### Sammy Scott Sammy meets Sara at the station and reveals his role in bringing Kautilya to Matthew, justifying it as necessary to control Matthew and secure Sara's cooperation in his political plans. ## Key lines > You had stepped down into menial service at my request⁠—you who knew how hard and dreadful it was. It was now my turn to step down to the bottom of the world and see it for myself. Kautilya explains that after Matthew took a menial job for her sake, she felt compelled to experience the lowest rungs of society herself. _This reflects the theme of sacrifice and mutual understanding in their relationship._ > The mission of the darker peoples, my Kautilya, of black and brown and yellow, is to raise out of their pain, slavery, and humiliation, a beacon to guide manhood to health and happiness and life and away from the morass of hate, poverty, crime, sickness, monopoly, and the mass-murder called war. Matthew articulates his vision that oppressed peoples of color have a unique role in leading humanity away from destructive forces. _This highlights the theme of racial oppression and the dream of emancipation._ > We have had the day God owed us, Kautilya, and now at last we must face facts frankly. Here and in this way I cannot protect you, I cannot support you, and neither of us can do the great work which is our dream. Matthew acknowledges that their idyllic life is unsustainable and that they must part to fulfill their larger purposes. _This marks the turning point where love yields to duty and sacrifice._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-iv-the-maharajah-of-bwodpur - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dark_princess_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters